From aid to growth: strategic shift secures long-term future for Moldovan agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a project to strengthen competitiveness and climate resilience among smallholder farmers in the Republic of Moldova. This is the second phase of the Programme on Resilient and Inclusive Markets, implemented jointly by FAO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with key support from Switzerland.

Smallholder farmers will be the main beneficiaries of the four-year project, with their competitiveness and resilience expected to improve. Considering the severe challenges they are facing – including frequent droughts and the socioeconomic fallout from the war in Ukraine – and the country’s advances in its European Union integration process, the project was designed to help smallholder farmers in the Republic of Moldova adapt to stricter quality, safety and sustainability standards.

The project was officially launched at a workshop on 13 November 2025 in Chisinau, bringing together national institutions, development partners and farmers’ organizations to define coordinated approaches for effective implementation.

Addressing the urgent need for systemic change, Ina Butucel, Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, highlighted the problem’s scale and the shift required.

“The threats smallholders face – from the ongoing drought crisis to socioeconomic instability – demand more than just emergency relief,” Butucel said. “Our data confirms that the country’s agricultural vulnerability is structural. This project is essential because it fundamentally shifts the focus: It’s not just about managing the next crisis but about applying sustainable policies for achieving a competitive, climate-resilient future for the entire agrifood sector.”

Building on the success of the programme’s first phase, which already supported 17 000 smallholders, the new project will reach out to more than 25 000 small-scale farmers and family farms. For them, vulnerability is expected to turn into opportunity as the project commits to guiding their transition from subsistent to commercial agriculture. In this respect, Tudor Robu, Assistant FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova, mentioned that the project stands as compelling evidence of the Organization’s longstanding expertise and partnership in strengthening the agrifood system and supporting the most vulnerable farmers in the Republic of Moldova.

The project’s success is secured through long-term and sustainable responses to the impact of crises on the Republic of Moldova – including the war in Ukraine and climate change – complementing emergency support in agriculture, where Switzerland has a major financial contribution. Simone Di Stefano, Deputy Director of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the decision to continue supporting such initiatives.

“Building on our past achievements, Switzerland is committed to ensuring continuity through its support for inclusive economic development and resilience, aimed at addressing the consequences of crises such as the war in Ukraine and climate change,” Di Stefano said. “A substantial allocation has been made for the next four-year phase of the Resilient and Inclusive Markets Programme, which will contribute to overall sustainable economic development and enhancing resilience to crises, including the competitive enhancement of local products and improved capacities in resilient agriculture.” 

These interventions will help the Republic of Moldova agricultural sector become more inclusive, competitive and aligned with European Union market standards. They also will help ensure resilience to climate, economic and market shocks, delivering lasting benefits for smallholders and rural communities well beyond the project’s duration.

By adopting a participatory, farmer-led approach, the project will build knowledge and experience at individual, organizational and institutional levels.

Key activities include the development of four value chains (livestock, vegetables, staple crops and berries) tailored to the needs of farmers, the establishment of Farmer Field Schools to facilitate peer learning, and support for farmer clusters. At the policy and decision-making level, activities will target the development of enabling policies and collaboration with government bodies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and international partners to ensure sustainable and inclusive rural development.

To strengthen institutional capacity, the project will work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Industry to propose potential measures for subsidies and grant application procedures for small-scale farmers and will aid up to 50 local public administrations in mainstreaming climate change adaptation into local planning processes. It also will adapt and implement the FAO Agricultural Stress Index System at the regional level, including training State Hydrometeorology Service field staff to provide real-time and reliable early warnings for drought conditions.

The project also aims to substantially increase competitiveness: One target is for 500 small-scale farmers to be integrated into market processes, elevating competitiveness through higher quality standards, diversified markets and increased sales, supported by the formation of four farmer clusters and 20 contract farming initiatives.